#73 - Sleep & Work with Dr. Chris Barnes

This podcast episode explores the impact of sleep on business performance and discusses the importance of sufficient sleep for employees. It emphasizes the connection between sleep, productivity, key performance metrics, and overall employee performance. The episode examines how work can affect sleep, including shift work, heavy work demands, and the influence of organizational norms. It also delves into the concept of emotional labor and its impact on sleep quality. The negative effects of chronic sleep restriction on performance, creativity, and ethical decision-making are discussed. The episode highlights the relationship between sleep and creativity, opportunity evaluation, social behavior, and moral awareness. The potential benefits of caffeine in mitigating sleep deprivation effects are mentioned, along with strategies for managing circadian rhythms for shift workers. The importance of managing sleep environments, eating strategies, and implementing cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is emphasized. The episode further explores the use of glasses and closed-loop acoustic stimulation headbands to improve sleep patterns and work outcomes. It discusses the role of leaders in shaping the sleep culture within organizations and raises questions about designing future workplace interventions and policies regarding sleep. Lastly, the impact of bragging about sleep deprivation in the workplace, particularly among genders, is examined.